["The State Steamers", Daily News (Perth, WA), Tuesday 17 June 1913, page 7]
THE STATE STEAMERS.
COMMISSION ADJOURNS.
MR. SUDHOLZ INDISPOSED.
The Commission consisting of Messrs. W. W. Alcock, Assistant Public Service Commissioner, E. A. Black, G. W. Simpson, and Frank Nicholas, were to have continued their inquiry this morning in the Fremantle Courthouse into the management of the State Steamship Service, but on the members taking their seats, Mr. A. V. Hales, correspondence clerk in the office of the State Steamship Service, tendered an apology to the Commission, for the absence of the manager of the service (Mr. W. E. Sudholz). Mr. Hales said that Mr. Sudholz was too indisposed to remain in court, and had made a request that counsel be allowed to appear on his behalf, so that the evidence of two witnesses from the ship might be taken that morning.
Mr. Holmes pointed out that was no necessity for a Royal Commission. The files spoke for themselves, and the department could have investigated the charges by perusing the file which he had handed to the Commission. That would have proved his case. His one desire had been to put the State Steamship Service right. He objected to Mr. Sudholz being represented by counsel. He (Mr. Holmes) had made his charges without counsel. He regretted the inability of Mr. Sudholz to be present, and thought that all the time necessary to enable him to recover should be allowed.
The Chairman said a majority of the Commission was against counsel being engaged in the inquiry at this stage.
The Commission then adjourned sine die.
